Protective sleeve for baby carrier

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an interactive sleeve for protecting at least a portion of a baby carrier. The sleeve includes a multiplicity of openings to secure the sleeve to the baby carrier such that it can easily be placed or removed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a sleeve adapted for coveringand protecting at least a portion of a baby carrier.

BACKGROUND

A “baby carrier” (also called a “child carrier”) is a device typicallyused to carry an infant or small child on an adult's person. In its mostcommon usage, the baby carrier holds the child next to the body of anadult without requiring the adult to physically support the child withtheir arms or hand. This arrangement keeps the child secure and in closecontact with an adult while allowing the adult to maintain two free armsand hands to perform desired actions or activities. Baby carriers aredesigned in various forms such as slings, backpack carriers, and softfront or hip carriers, with varying materials and degrees of rigidity,decoration, support and confinement of the child. One of the mostpopular baby carriers is called a Baby Bjorn™, generally shown in priorart FIG. 1 as reference number 34. The Baby Bjorn™ includes lowerportion 42 and upper winged extension 12 connected by winged extensionconnector 8. Upper winged extension 12 includes opposing tips 36 and 38.

One problem with baby carriers is that they can get worn or tarnishedduring use. This can occur in many ways, including from the baby itself,who may bite, drool on, or otherwise dirty the carrier. This isespecially apparent in winged extension portion 12 of the baby carrierreachable to the baby's mouth, shown FIG. 1. Frequent biting or droolingby the baby can wear down, discolor, stain, or tarnish the baby carrier.This damage cannot always be rectified simply by washing or cleaning thebaby carrier. The result is the inconvenience of a baby carrier thateither must be frequently washed or the costly circumstance of a babycarrier that is permanently damaged and should be replaced.

A second issue is that baby carriers are not interactive with the baby.A baby held within a carrier typically does nothing other than sitthere. There are no toys or attractive patterns to entertain the baby.This can cause problems for the wearer of the carrier if the babydemands too much attention, thereby making moot the entire reason thewearer is wearing the carrier in the first place.

As a further issue, portions of the baby carrier exposed to a baby'sface may be harsh to the baby's chin or mouth. For example, babies havebeen known to have chafed skin underneath there chin where it rubsagainst the baby carrier. Similarly, biting the baby carrier may not bepleasing to the baby. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a sleevecovering at least of portion of a baby carrier that is accessible by thebaby's mouth that can be replaced, cleaned and is pleasing to the touchand bite of a baby. There is a further need for such a device that iseasy to secure to and remove from the baby carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interactive protective sleeve for ababy carrier having a winged extension, wherein the sleeve includes awinged body portion having a front surface, a back surface, a top side,a bottom side, side openings on opposing sides of the sleeve and abottom opening on the bottom side. The front and back surface of thesleeve form a flexible cavity therein. The sleeve covers at least aportion of a winged extension of a baby carrier when the wingedextension is placed within the flexible cavity such that the bottom sideis transverse a winged extension connecter.

The present invention further contemplates a protective sleeve for ababy carrier having a winged extension, wherein the sleeve includesmeans for securing a portion of the winged extension within a flexiblecavity of the sleeve.

The present invention further contemplates a method for protecting aportion of a baby carrier including the steps of providing a wingedshaped sleeve having a bottom opening adapted to conform to a shape of awinged extension of the baby carrier, entering a first tip of wingedextension through the bottom opening and into the winged shapedcovering, sliding the first tip to a first side of the winged shapecovering; entering a second tip of winged extension through the bottomopening and into the winged shaped covering, and sliding the second tipto an opposing second side of the winged shape covering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Without restricting the full scope of the present invention, variouspreferred forms of the invention and its related articles areillustrated in the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flat view of a prior art Baby Bjorn™.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a winged sleeve with an extension.

FIG. 3 shows a patterned side view of a winged sleeve with an extension.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a winged sleeve secured on a wingedextension portion.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a winged sleeve secured on a wingedextension portion.

FIG. 6 a-6 d shows a method for securing the sleeve to the baby carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 2 shows a winged sleeve 10 that substantially protects a wingedextension portion 12 of the baby carrier shown in FIG. 1. Sleeve 10 hasan upper side 14, a first side opening 16, and second side opening 18, abottom opening 20 between two bottom sides 22 and 24. Winged guard 10further has a flexible front surface 26 and a flexible back surface 28.Back surface 28, not pictured, is substantially the same size and shapeas front surface 26. A flexible cavity 30 can be potentially formedbetween front and back surface 26 and 28, wherein the flexible cavitycan be accessed by side openings 16 and 18 or bottom opening 20. As canbe readily understood, if the sleeve 10 is laying flat such that frontsurface 26 touches and lies directly on back surface 28, flexible cavity30 may not be present but can easily be recreated through simplemanipulations. Note that while different parts of sleeve 10 are beingreferred to in segments, e.g. front surface 26, back surface 28 andupper side 14, it would be understood from one skilled in the art thatthe structure of the sleeve may be continuous as one moves, for example,from the front surface, around upper side 14 and onto back surface 28.

In a first preferred embodiment, the general shape of sleeve 10 is ageneral winged shape having two generally opposing wings terminating atside openings 16 and 18 as shown in FIG. 2. The shape of winged sleeve10 is substantially adapted to conform to the shape of winged extensionportion 12 such that winged extension portion 12 can be secured withinwinged sleeve 10 without substantial movement within the sleeve. Wingedsleeve 10 protects the winged portion 12 and provides interaction and asoft surface for any baby or child held in the baby carrier.

Sleeve 10 is preferably made of a material to allow for efficientsecuring on and off of winged extension portion 12. In preferredembodiments, the material is a soft, flexible material such as minke.The flexibility makes it easier to manipulate the sleeve 10 when in theprocess of covering the winged extension 12. The softness of the amaterial such as minke provides a soft covering that substantiallyprevents chafing to a baby. Particularly when the baby is facing inward,the material of sleeve 10 provides a soft, warm, padding for the back ofthe baby's head. The material also protects the winged extension bycovering substantially all of it. This protection prevents significanttarnishing of the winged extension 12 by protecting from the wear andbitings of a child. To the extent any sleeve 10 is damaged, it can beeasily replaced by a different sleeve. This process costs considerablyless than purchasing a new baby carrier. As shown in FIG. 3, variouspatterns may be placed on front and/or back surface 26 and 28.

Upper side 14 is adapted to conform to the shape of a correspondingupper side on winged extension portion 12. In the shown embodiment ofFIG. 2, upper side 14 is substantially arcuate in shape, but differentgeneral shapes can be manufactured depending on the shape of the wingedextension portion 12. It is also understood that if a child beingcarried in a carrier chews or drools on a portion of winged protector,it would likely be on upper side 14 as this is the side closest to thechild's mouth.

In preferred embodiments, sleeve 10 contains one or a multiplicity ofcouplers 32 to which devices may be attached. The couplers provide alevel on interactivity to sleeve 10 by allowing attachment ofentertaining devices for a baby held within the carrier. In furtherpreferred embodiments, the devices coupled to couplers 32 are toys forthe child to play with as shown in FIG. 4. Devices are preferablyremovable attached to couplers 32 such that they can be replaced orexchanged for other devices. In preferred embodiments, the couplers 32are a strap that can fit through a hoop or other hole on the devices andthen fasten back upon itself with a fastener known in the art. In otherembodiments, however, other couplers can be used.

Couplers 32 are shown attached at or near upper side 14 but can beplaced at any suitable location on sleeve 10, for example, near thecenter of front surface 26. As shown in FIG. 3, coupler 32 may bearch-shaped straps of flexible or non-flexible material, but one skilledin the art would contemplate a wide variety of shapes and materialscould be used.

In preferred embodiments, the apparatus includes openings to securesleeve 10 to winged extension portion 12. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, openings 16, 18 and 20 are adapted to accept tips 36 and 38 ofbaby carrier 34 such that sleeve 10 is securely attached to the wingedextension 12 of the baby carrier. Note that the precise shape of tips 36and 38 may vary depending on the type of baby carrier used.

In alternate embodiments, sleeve 10 may not include side openings 16and/or 18. Instead, sleeve 10 includes an upper side 14 that extendsdirectly into bottom sides 22 and/or 24. In this embodiment, the upperside 14, bottom sides 22 and/or 24, and front and back surface 26 and 28can be extended further in a planar direction such that tips 36 and 38of the winged extension are fully covered. As a result, tips 36 and/or38 of winged extension portion 12 would be within cavity 30 and wouldnot be outwardly visible when the sleeve is secured.

A method of protecting a winged extension portion 12 of a baby carrierwith sleeve 10 is shown in FIGS. 6 a-6 d. As seen in FIG. 6 a, tip 36 ofwinged extension portion 12 is entered into cavity 30 through bottomopening 20 and then out of cavity 30 through opening 18 such that itextends past and through opening 18. Opposing tip 38 is then enteredthrough opening 20 and opening 16 as shown in FIGS. 6 b and 6 c, suchthat tip 38 extends past and through opening 16, thereby securing wingedsleeve 10 on winged extension 12 as shown in FIG. 6 d. As can be seen inFIG. 6 d, a majority of winged extension 12 is contained within cavity30, save for the tips. Opening 20 is transverse winged extensionconnector 8, although it is understood that this description includessituations where the precise location of opening 20 may actually be justabove winged extension connector 8 and technically transverse to thewinged extension itself. The location of opening 20 provides a quick andeasy way to cover the winged extension.

In alternate methods, if no side openings are included, tip 36 of wingedextension portion 12 is entered into cavity 30 through bottom opening 20and to one side of sleeve 10. Opposing tip 38 is then entered throughopening 20 and moved to the opposing side of sleeve 10. The sleeve canthen be substantially straightened such that it lays flat.

In further embodiments, a lower extension 40 is provided, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5. Lower extension 40 extends bottom opening 20 such thatmore of baby carrier 34 is covered.

Securing sleeve 10 to winged extension portion 12 is preferably achievedwithout physical fastening, thereby allowing the sleeve to be secured orremoved without damaging the sleeve or the baby carrier. In alternateembodiments, however, an additional physical fastener, including but notlimited to snaps, buttons, zippers, Velcro™ or locking tabs, can be usedto provide additional fastening of sleeve 10 to winged extension portion12.

Once the winged extension is secured within the sleeve, an interactiveand removable covering is provided for a baby carrier that can entertaina baby when the baby is facing forward and provide a soft, warm, paddingfor the back of the baby's head when the baby is facing inward. Thesleeve can be easily removed and cleaned or replaced. This ease is moreconcentrated by the fact that the sleeve only substantially covers thewinged extension or the winged extension and a portion of the wingedextension carrier, providing an easy on and off.

The present invention creates an method and apparatus for protecting ababy carrier and providing a more interactive and pleasing environmentfor the baby being carried. Various changes and modifications can bemade in the invention without departing from its scope or spirit. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, side openings 16 and 18 are shown to be onopposing sides of the winged formation. In alternate embodiments, theside openings can be in different locations if tips 36 and 38 of thewinged extension are in different locations.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interactive protective sleeve for a babycarrier having a winged extension and a winged extension connector, thesleeve comprising a winged body portion having a front surface, a backsurface, a top side and a bottom side, wherein the front and backsurface form a flexible cavity therein at least one side opening on eachside of the winged body portion, a bottom opening on the bottom side ofthe winged body portion, such that the sleeve is adapted tosubstantially cover the winged extension and the bottom opening istransverse the winged extension connector, and one or a multiplicity ofcouplers for attaching devices to the sleeve.
 2. The sleeve of claim 1,wherein the top side and the bottom side of the winged body portionterminate at the side openings.
 3. The sleeve of claim 1, furthercomprising a lower extension that extends the bottom opening.
 4. Thesleeve of claim 1, wherein the one or a multiplicity of couplers arearch-shaped straps.
 5. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein a majority of thewinged extension can fit within the flexible cavity.
 6. The sleeve ofclaim 1, wherein the winged body portion is imprinted with a pattern. 7.The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is substantially made of minky[other materials].
 8. The sleeve of claim 1, further comprisingreinforcing material on the upper side.
 9. A sleeve for a baby carrierhaving a winged extension, the sleeve comprising a winged body portionhaving a front surface, a back surface, a top side and a bottom side,the front and back surface forming a flexible cavity therein, means forsecuring at least a portion of the winged extension within the flexiblecavity.
 10. The sleeve of claim 9, further wherein the bottom opening istransverse the winged extension connector.
 11. The sleeve of claim 9,further comprising one or a multiplicity of couplers for attachingdevices to the sleeve.
 12. The sleeve of claim 11, wherein the one or amultiplicity of couplers are arch-shaped straps.
 13. The sleeve of claim9, wherein a majority of the winged extension can fit within theflexible cavity.
 14. The sleeve of claim 9, wherein the winged bodyportion is imprinted with a pattern.
 15. The sleeve of claim 9, whereinthe sleeve is substantially made of minky [other materials].
 16. Amethod for protecting a portion of a baby carrier comprising the stepsof: providing a winged shaped sleeve adapted to conform to a shape of awinged extension of the baby carrier, wherein the winged shape sleevehas a bottom opening and the winged extension has a first and a secondtip, attaching devices to the winged shaped covering, entering the firsttip of the winged extension through the bottom opening and into thewinged shaped covering, sliding the first tip to a first side of thewinged shape covering entering the second tip of winged extensionthrough the bottom opening and into the winged shaped covering, andsliding the second tip to a second side of the winged shape covering.17. The method of claim 15, wherein sliding the first tip to a firstside of the winged shape covering comprises sliding the first tipthrough a first opening in the first side.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein sliding the second tip to a second side of the winged shapecovering comprises sliding the second tip through a second opening inthe first side.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the stepof adding a pattern to the winged shaped covering.